There’s a new commander making waves at the Belize Coast Guard and she’s making history while she’s at it. Today, during a ceremony honoring the legendary Rear Admiral John Borland, another standout officer stepped into the spotlight. Alma Pinelo has just been promoted to Commander, becoming the first woman ever to hold that title in Belize’s Coast Guard. With twelve years of service under her belt, she’s also taking on a brand-new role as Chief of Staff. We caught up with Commander Pinelo to hear what this milestone means to her and what she hopes to bring to the job.
Alma Pinelo, Commander, Belize Coast Guard
“It acts like a intermediary between the upper command, which is the Vice Commandant and the Commandant, and then the rest of the general staff and the rest of the Coast Guard. It is something that was approved by the board a couple months ago and then officially appointed this week for me to take up that post.”
Britney Gordon
“And what are the feelings that are going through your head right now, being the first woman to be recognized like this?”
Alma Pinelo
“Heavy is the crown, right? It is an honor. I feel very privileged to be able to take up this new post. It is a pleasure to work with the men and women from the Belize Coast Guard, and I feel happy. I’m excited it’s something new, so a little nervous as well because we’re going to figure it out as we go along in terms of getting used to another layer in that command structure because we’re always only used to having the XO and then the commandant, so we’re have to getting used to something new. Something new is always good. So definitely very privileged and honored to be able to take up this new post.”